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Husam Zomlot, Palestinian head of mission in the UK speaks at the inauguration ceremony for the Palestinian embassy in London, Monday, January 5, 2026. KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH \/ AP <\/p>\n Husam Zomlot, Palestinian head of mission in the UK speaks at the inauguration ceremony for the Palestinian embassy in London, Monday, January 5, 2026. KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH \/ AP <\/p>\n
The embassy of Palestine was officially inaugurated in London in a short ceremony on Monday, January 5, hailed by its ambassador as a “profound milestone” in British-Palestinian relations. “We gather today to mark a historic moment \u2013 the inauguration of the embassy of the State of Palestine to the United Kingdom, with full diplomatic status and privileges,” said Ambassador Husam Zomlot in a speech outside what was previously known as the Palestinian Mission to the UK in west London.<\/p>\n
The official upgrading of the mission to embassy status came after the UK announced it would recognize the State of Palestine<\/a> in September 2025, along with several other countries, including Australia and Canada, at a time of major international concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.<\/p>\n Read more Map: The countries that recognize a Palestinian state<\/a> <\/p>\n Sporting a traditional black and white keffiyeh scarf, Zomlot told the ceremony this is “not merely a change of name,” but a “change of direction” towards Palestinian statehood. “What a way to begin a new year together, marking a profound milestone in the British-Palestinian relations, and in the Palestinian people’s long journey to freedom and self-determination,” Zomlot said, before unveiling the embassy’s new plaque. “This is a day of hope, a day of steadfastness, and a day that reminds the world that peace is not only possible, it is inevitable (…) when rooted in justice, dignity, equality and mutual recognition.”<\/p>\n The UK’s Foreign Office did not immediately respond to an Agence France-Presse query on whether the UK planned to follow suit by opening a British embassy in the Palestinian territories.<\/p>\n Speaking just after Zomlot at a lectern flanked by Palestinian and British national flags, UK diplomatic representative Alistair Harrison said the occasion represented a “moment of hope.”<\/p>\n “This is the beginning of a step change in our bilateral relationship,” he said. “I wish you ambassador, and your team, a very happy stay in what is now your embassy, and congratulations.”<\/p>\n A fragile ceasefire has been in place since October in Gaza, following a devastating war waged by Israel in response to Hamas’s unprecedented deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.<\/p>\n Read more Subscribers only Israel halts the work of humanitarian NGOs in occupied Palestinian territories<\/a> <\/p>\n